As the local government elections in Rivers State draw near, political parties and their candidates are being called upon to strictly adhere to the principles and regulations governing advertising in Nigeria by ensuring advert campaigns are submitted for approval and vetting before exposure.
In a statement signed by Dr. Dike Bekwele, Chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Association of Port Harcourt (APAPHC), he emphasized the importance of abiding by the Advertising Regulatory Act 23 of 2022 while highlighting that exposing campaign materials without the necessary vetting and approval from the regulatory authorities is a clear violation of the law.
According to him, the Act requires that all campaign content undergo scrutiny and approval before being made public to ensure a smooth and lawful electioneering process.
Dr. Bekwele outlined the potential risks associated with the failure to follow these guidelines, warning that non-compliance could result in legal repercussions and disrupt the election campaigns. He underscored that submitting campaign content for vetting not only ensures the integrity of the political process but also aligns political advertising with established ethical and legal standards.
He further emphasized that “political parties and candidates must subject their campaign materials to thorough vetting before public exposure, as failure to do so constitutes a violation of the country’s advertising laws.” According to him, seeking approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) will prevent the circulation of unlawful or inappropriate content and foster an orderly campaign environment.
To ensure compliance with the law, Dr. Bekwele called on political parties and their candidates to work exclusively with registered, licensed, and certified advertising practitioners. He noted that these professionals are validated by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency. Engaging such professionals will ensure that political campaigns, whether through outdoor advertising, billboards, or electronic media, are both effective and lawful.
Additionally, Dr. Bekwele urged media outlets to request vetting approval certificates before airing campaign materials. This step is crucial to ensuring that all advertisements meet the legal standards set by the Advertising Regulatory Council and avoid inadvertently promoting unvetted or misleading content.
In light of these requirements, Dr. Bekwele assured that the APAPHC would work closely with relevant advertising regulatory bodies in the state to ensure that political campaigns adhere to the law. The APAPHC, in collaboration with ARCON, will monitor compliance, taking steps to prevent any violations of the Advertising Act 23 of 2022.
The Act mandates that political campaign materials must be vetted before being displayed on billboards or broadcast via electronic media, thus maintaining the integrity of both the electoral process and advertising standards. With the local government elections fast approaching, the APAPHC’s reminder serves as a timely call for political actors to operate within the bounds of the law, ensuring a responsible and legally compliant campaign season.
As Rivers State prepares for the October 5 local government elections, the APAPHC has highlighted the crucial role that advertising plays in political campaigns. By adhering to the principles of advertising law, political parties and candidates can contribute to a fair, orderly, and transparent election process.
Strict compliance with vetting and approval requirements will not only protect the integrity of the elections but also ensure that campaign messages are conveyed ethically and responsibly.
